IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Lauds KL Rahul For Playing Match Winning Knocks In The Tournament For Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has lauded the Punjab skipper KL Rahul for playing match-defining knocks in all the three wins for his franchise so far in IPL 2021. KL Rahul hammered Bangalore apart with an unbeaten 91 run knock of just 57 deliveries and his exploits helped Punjab post a good fighting total on board with 179 for the loss of five wickets at the end of the 20th over.

In reply, Punjab bowlers executed their plans to perfection and Riley Meredith proved to be an excellent selection for the game. Harpreet Brar who played his first game this season picked up three big wickets of Kohli, Maxwell, and Devilliers to leave the opponents struggling. Rahul was well supported by Gayle and Harpreet and despite his slow start, he made for it in the end.

Aakash Chopra Explains The Key Contributions from KL Rahul

KL Rahul is a class act in IPL and Aakash Chopra noted that his quality will come to the fore. KL Rahul has been the key contributor for Punjab in their three wins so far and he has played three different knocks. In the first game, he scored a quickfire 91 against RR, then they had to chase a modest total and Rahul anchored the innings well while in the last game, he started slowly, and pressed the button at the back end.

“KL Rahul has the quality which will come to the fore. His performance has been outstanding in Punjab Kings’ all three wins. The first match against RR – 91, second match when they had to chase the runs, again he scored the runs, was slightly quicker than run-a-ball but it was a match-winning knock,” said Aakash Chopra

“Those were in Chennai and nowhere as well. He has not scored a century but he has been better than a centurion. He has the Orange Cap on his head and his batting is class,” he added

Aakash Chopra In Awe Of The Way Rahul Finished

Aakash Chopra explained the progress of Rahul’s innings when he was happy to play second fiddle to Chris Gayle at the start and then when the wickets started to fall away, he made sure they were accelerating steadily. He was amazed by the shots Rahul played at the back end.

“He was going at less than run-a-ball at the start when the Chris Gayle storm had come at the other end. After that, he managed his innings. He was going steadily, accelerating slightly but had kept himself in check as well because the wickets were falling at the other end,”

“But in the end, he played some shots where you just go wow. I love him to bits. So, we saw an amazing knock,” 

Interestingly, RCB hasn’t managed to dismiss KL Rahul from the 2019 edition and his average against the franchise has peeped up high.